Hosts Bangladesh opened their AFC U17 Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers Group E campaigns with a 2-1 win over Singapore Wednesday.
At the Birshrestha Sipahi Mohammad Mostafa Stadium in Kamalapur, Bangladesh took the lead in the 10th minute when Singapore defender Brayden Goh scored an own goal while trying to clear Nazim Uddin’s cross (1-0).
Muhammad Syazwan levelled the margin for Singapore in the 28th minute (1-1).
The deadlock then continued well into the second half. As the match looked set to end in a draw, Bangladesh forced an error from Singapore goalkeeper Isaac Lee to earn three points.
The winning goal arrived in the last minute of added time. Bangladesh won the match 2-1 as Lee scored an own goal in the stoppage time (97th minute).
In the day’s first match, Yemen crushed Bhutan 8-0 at the same venue in the afternoon, leading in the first half 5-0.
In the remaining Group E matches, Bangladesh will face Bhutan on Friday and Yemen Sunday at 7pm at the same venue.
U-17 teams of Yemen, Singapore, Bhutan and hosts Bangladesh will compete in the four-nation qualifiers in Dhaka up to October 9.
The final round of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Championship will be held during May 3-10 next year. The venue is yet to be finalised.
Source: United News of Bangladesh